Zayat Stables reported Sept. 7 that its 3-year-old colt Paynter continues to improve after a rough couple of days and remains comfortable in casts he wears because of laminitis.

The Zayat family through Twitter said Paynter, who won the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, "continues to gradually improve. He is passing manure and eating, and walks freely around his stall. His fever is under control and his protein levels have stabilized."

Bloodwork on the Awesome Again colt came back normal Sept. 5. The previous day the colt was diagnosed with laminitis; he also had colitis, a low-grade fever, and diarrhea.